MALL TRIP

Sitting on a bench at the mall While the wife shops For last minute holiday presents. Two older mall walkers, dressed in jeans And checkered flannel shirts stroll by. “…and I thought for sure he was going To shoot him. Yellin’ “I’ll kill you, you dog…’ ” The shorter man says, shaking his head. And as his voice fades down the hall, I wonder how that confrontation ended.

On the adjacent bench behind me, An overweight guy in a blue Colts’ Sweatshirt rests and greets each walker As they stroll by. Some pass us with young, bouncy steps. Others keep their balance by pushing Wheeled devices before them. “I’m timing you!” my benchmate calls To an elderly lady shuffling behind her cart. “You’re slowing down!” She smiles. Her husband carefully Walks a few steps behind, Prepared to catch her should she stumble.

It’s almost noon and there are few shoppers, Strange just six days before Christmas When the “Door Busters” sale is on At the nearby Carson’s department store. This former mill town has hit hard times, Many mall shops have closed. The Carson’s employees must now walk To the food court for lunch Because the MCL cafeteria across the hall Sits empty, doors boarded up. Next door, Bonzo’s Bounce House is closed, Flashing lights waiting for schools to close.

“You got much shopping left?” A middle aged woman asks her walking mate. They each clench weighted barbells, Widely swinging their arms as they stride by. “As much as I can afford,” her friend answers, Keeping up the pace, warding off the pounds Holiday meals threaten to add

A threesome approaches. Two men with a woman in the middle, All appearing in their 70s. “And I guess I’ll go to the hospital,” The man on her left says. “Gotta see how…” The sentence is lost to distance.

Three older women come by, Hands gesturing as they make points In their conversation. “And then I put it in the oven, But forgot to set the timer…”one says. As they pass, my benchmate shouts, “Merry Christmas girls!” “And to you!” the baker says. I’ll never know if her pumpkin pie burned.

Several walkers are soloists, Measuring devices strapped to their waists To count the steps, headphones Block out the holiday tunes Broadcast throughout the mall. Many look old, retired, widowed maybe, On their fourth or fifth pass by me. Some smile, wondering, perhaps What I might be writing, Unknowing that I have borrowed A few seconds of their time for my lines.

The mall is a sad place, its future in doubt. Studies are underway to dam a nearby river And flood the massive structure And the half-empty nearby strip-mall shops And shoddy residential neighborhoods, Turning the area into a reservoir, Providing pricey waterfront lots For rich folk who shop online Or at the teeming malls in Indianapolis.

Two women bundled in winter clothes Meet in front of Carson’s, One carries a small shopping bag. “Last minute shopping?” the unburdened one asks. “Got to,” the other answers. “In-laws are coming.”

Two workers from the department store Exit behind them, chatting intimately As they cross the hall and stand in front Of the darkened former cafeteria. The young woman places her hands on her hips As the young man talks, his hands folded across his chest. They see me watching, she smiles, gestures in my direction And they turn and step back into their store, Their plans for a tryst, perhaps, delayed for a moment.

Two women enter Carson’s behind them. The younger one pushes a baby carriage With an infant girl playing with a small ball. The older woman pushes a wheelchair Occupied by a paralyzed teenager.

Near a large potted plant, A young woman in a heavy gray coat Hands a cell phone to her right ear And wipes away a tear with her free hand. “Can you come out here?” she says To someone somewhere else. “I’m at the mall and my car won’t start.” She shoves the phone into her coat pocket And walks towards the exit. “God damn!” she mutters.

“Something wrong there,” my seatmate says. I turn to answer, but eye my wife leaving the shop. She carries a small bag. “Door Buster hell!” she tells me. “Someone busted the good sales. Not much I wanted.” I rise to greet her. “Whatcha got?” I ask. “You’ll see,” she teases. “Merry Christmas!” my benchmate says. “And a Festivus for the rest of us,” I respond. He laughs as we leave the dying mall.